Play the stock game, patched to 1.3 without realism mods for starters.ĭo NOT use Dud torpedo option, and don't use Manual torp calculations (don't know what is the exact name for this second option but you get the idea). If you're in the n00b land then I would not really recommend installing hard core realism mods like Real Fleet Boat or Trigger Maru (TM is less realistic than RFB but is perhaps even more challenging - it increases enemy AI to above-historic levels). those are mods I use, and I like to keep things "clean", but once you scratch the surface you will find the loads and loads of quality mods for SH4.įor me SH4 is among top 5 games released this year (well top 3 right now but I expect some good games in the last three months of 2007).
My personal favorites are RFB (Real fleet boat) realism mod pack (could be too extreme for submarine newbs), some graphic mods, some sound mods, Taters campaign layers (brings merchant shipping to more realistic levels).
Patch the game to 1.3, then, by all means, browse the mod section and pick the best modding community has to offer (SH4 modding community is second to none). Reminds me of "infamous" RO bug with K98 lock turned the wrong way. I mean the propellers spinning the wrong way?!?!? Come on. Since I think you're relative newcomer to the genre I guess you wouldn't notice 99% of stuff people are complaining about. (Incidentally, I also wrote shining review of RO for Wargamer some time ago ) I wrote shining review of SH4 for Wargamer site, but then had to endure endless attacks on the forums from the people who, well, obviously don't like the game as much as I do. Be warned though, even though I consider it a very good game, I am known for my fanboyism and evangelism for the games I love. Patched and modded SH4 is a BLAST to play. I would greet another patch very happily nonetheless. It didn't live up to my expectations 100% (which would earn it a 10), but it is quite playable and I don't regret my purchase. Overall, on your scale, I'd give SH4 an 8. There are one or two gameplay bugs, however (such as the pistol setting switch not working) which I would really like fixed, but I wouldn't call any of them show stoppers.Īlso, there is a wonderful selection of mods on the forums that fix many of the historical inconsistencies and make the game look better. As a person who likes realism, (hence being part of the RO community) I'd like them to fix these things, but when it comes down to it, it does not really effect me all too much if my sub has some torpedoes a year earlier than it should. Most of the problems they were reporting were realism inconsistencies, which don't really matter to gameplay. However, I find it quite playable (even if I am still not skilled enough to get hits most of the time but I play on 100% realism, so that's my own fault ).
I was a bit disappointed as you are after buying it and reading the forums. Well, I have it, but it is my first subsim and I'm still a noob with it, so I don't know how much my opinion can really help you but here it is anyway. If you have it how would you rate it 1-10 with one being completely dissatisfied, 5 neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 10 Completely Satisfied. Overall, it seems like people have a mixed view: they like the submarine setting, but there are still things wrong it in (e.g., propellers spin the wrong way)ĭo you play Silent Hunter 4? Is it any good with the current Patch? Should I keep it, or return it next time I'm at the store (still in box unopened)?
On the Forum board, people say it still needs another Patch, and there is no offical announcement on the Forum News that a new 1.4 Patch is being worked on, though one of the Forum fans who's the ringleader pushing for a new patched said some Customer Representative told him Ubisoft would patch it again, which is really just words (maybe to get rid of him). (including sales tax) but I did read that this game still has a lot of problems at the game's Forum site (always a good place to go to see how people feel about a game) I bought this yesterday with a coupon on sale for $28.50 U.S.